BULLETIN 28 – 21 MANDATORY VACCINE UPDATES

October 1, 2021
Bulletin 28 – 21

Mandatory Vaccine Updates

UFLAC Members,

This has been another busy week for the UFLAC Negotiating Committee and Executive Board.

We held our monthly General Membership meeting with hundreds of UFLAC members in attendance along with Fire Chief Terrazas to answer your questions and listen to your concerns. We also hosted a productive meeting with the board members of the Firefighters 4 Freedom along with their attorney.

Here are some Questions & Answers that will hopefully provide you with the latest information on the City’s mandatory vaccination policy:

Q: Does the City have to bargain with UFLAC over the impacts of the vaccine mandate?

A: Yes. The City is legally obligated to bargain in good faith with UFLAC over the impacts of the mandate until either an agreement is reached or impasse procedures have been exhausted.

Q: What is UFLAC’s position on the Mandatory Vaccination Policy?

A: From the very beginning, UFLAC has been clear with our members, the general public, and our elected officials that WE DO NOT SUPPORT A MANDATORY VACCINATION POLICY.

Q: What is UFLAC doing to fight to ensure bargaining rights are protected, the provisions of our MOU are followed, and that the City of Los Angeles is complying with State and Federal laws?

A: Your UFLAC Negotiating Committee consists of Freddy Escobar, Chuong Ho, Domingo Albarran, Adam Walker, and our UFLAC attorney Dana Martinez. We have already sat down with the City’s lead negotiators at least three times for formal Meet & Confer discussions and we are having another meeting this upcoming week (Week of October 4th). We expect to receive a proposal from the City at our next Meet & Confer.

At these Meet & Confer sessions, the UFLAC Negotiating Committee continues to fight to mitigate the impact of this mandate and has proposed alternatives that will protect the health and safety of the public and our members, and that will not have a devastating impact on staffing and service delivery for the LAFD.

Q: What else is UFLAC doing?

A: We are literally working on the vaccine mandate and related issues every single day. We are making our case to elected officials and city staff, working with our attorney to track the status of all outstanding legal challenges regarding vaccine mandates nationwide, testifying in key city council committees, working with other labor partners, fielding questions from members seven days a week, and much more. This issue has been our top priority for months now.

Q. Do I have to report my vaccination status on or before October 19, 2021?

A: Yes.

Q: Am I required to inform my Battalion Chief, Section Commander, or any other LAFD supervisor of my vaccination status?

A: NO. You are not required to tell any LAFD supervisor what your current vaccination status is. You only have to report your vaccination status to LAFD Human Resources Liaison within the Personnel Department. If you have not yet reported your status, the Fire Chief is expected to send directions today regarding how to report. Check your email.

Q: If I did not file an intent to request a medical or religious exemption, can I still request an exemption?

A: Yes.

We will continue to update you on a regular basis and provide important information as it becomes available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, you can contact any member of the UFLAC Negotiating Committee or Executive Board.

In Solidarity,

Negotiating Committee
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City